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Need help to shave 1/2 lb off my 5.5

1440 Views 14 Replies 7 Participants Last post by burnside, Jul 25, 2004

TC3

Discussion Starter · Jul 23, 2004

I have a 27.5 lbs Intense 5.5
Built it with semi-light weight parts.
Maybe I can push it a little bit further since I'm light (about 165lbs including gears)
and I ride smoothly.
My target weight is sub 27lbs.
Here's my 5.5's spec, please tell me if there's any potential tweak.
Thanks in advance!

Frame: Intense 5.5 Medium/Swinger 4 way
Fork: Manitou Minute 1:00
Headset: King
Handle Bar: Monkey Lite CT2 Low Riser
Grips: Intense Lock-On
Stem: Thomson Elite
Seatpost: Thomson Elite
Seat collar: Salsa QR
QR: Salsa SS
Hubs: King ISO 32h
Spokes: Wheelsmith DB
Nipples: Brass
Rims: Mavic 819
Tires: Schwalbe Albert Light 2.25 Front / Racing Ralph 2.1 Rear (both non-UST)
Saddle: WTB Rocket V Ti
Brakes: Hope Mono Minis 180 F / 160 R
Shifter: XTR 952
Shifter Cable: Avid Flak Jacket
F Deraileur: XTR 952
R Deraileur: XTR 960
Chain: DuraAce 7701
Cassette: XT 752 11X34t
Crank: RF Deus X-Type
Pedal: Shimano MX-30 ..... ( my survival kit for some technical singletracks)

That's all, I was thinking to start with light spokes/nipples or Ti bolts.
But not quite sure if that's gonna make much difference.

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1 - 15 of 15 Posts

GspotRider

· #2 · Jul 24, 2004

I would switch to foam grips like extralites over the bolton. That should save you about 70grams.

Consider lighter pedals like the double ti eggbeater. It should shave off 150+grams.

Consider switching to a 160mm front disc. If you get super light disc you could save 50grams or more.

If you have not tried stan's tubeless setup...that should save you about 50grams a wheel.

bike_freak

· #3 · Jul 24, 2004

Nice bike! Any pics?
Agree with the above poster about grips and pedals.
Another thing is Alloy nipples for your wheels. But that might be more hassle then it's worth.
I used to use oury Lock-ons and thought they were great, but now use foam grips and the weight savings were like over 100grams! I don't miss my lock-ons besides the times when you need to remove/replace your grips.
Other then that, I can quite see where you would want to replace stuff, your bike is just plain sweet! Although with a build like that you would think it is already lighter....
How are you liking the dues cranks? Did you ever think about getting XT's or XTR over them? I'm stuck between XT's locally or Deus from mail order.(I'm in Aus, and Deus aren't in Australia yet! and they are going to cost alot!)
Oh just noticed, although they are bomb proof, you can save quite a bit of weight from your stem by replacing it with a syntace or something. Syntace you can get from www.light-bikes.com

DirtHog

· #4 · Jul 24, 2004

I wouldn't make any major changes

Looks like your parts have been carefully chosen for a really nice build and any major changes would result in less strength, quality or comfort. I think the change least likely to be noticed in ride quality would be replacing the Thomson stem and then the seatpost but I wouldn't change them. Foam grips caused me to have pain shooting through my left arm after long rides so I went back to lock on grips. Sram XO would save a little weight and improve shifting in my opinion but you may disagree. I would stick to small items such as bolt on skewers if you are not removing you wheels often, light tubes if you don't flat a lot, an aluminum lockring on the cassette, hollowpin chain when your current chain wears out, aluminum chainring bolts, and perhaps a few other aluminum and ti bolts could get you close to 27lbs.

TC3

Discussion Starter · #5 · Jul 24, 2004

DirtHog said:
Looks like your parts have been carefully chosen for a really nice build and any major changes would result in less strength, quality or comfort. I think the change least likely to be noticed in ride quality would be replacing the Thomson stem and then the seatpost but I wouldn't change them. Foam grips caused me to have pain shooting through my left arm after long rides so I went back to lock on grips. Sram XO would save a little weight and improve shifting in my opinion but you may disagree. I would stick to small items such as bolt on skewers if you are not removing you wheels often, light tubes if you don't flat a lot, an aluminum lockring on the cassette, hollowpin chain when your current chain wears out, aluminum chainring bolts, and perhaps a few other aluminum and ti bolts could get you close to 27lbs.

Thanks, dude. I think Control Tech bolt on skewer, Ritchey WCS Stem and some Ti / Al bolt could really help. by the way, where's the good source fot Ti or Al bolts?
I have Stan's with non-UST tires, I'm cool with the tires' weight

bike_freak said:
Nice bike! Any pics?
Agree with the above poster about grips and pedals.
Another thing is Alloy nipples for your wheels. But that might be more hassle then it's worth.
I used to use oury Lock-ons and thought they were great, but now use foam grips and the weight savings were like over 100grams! I don't miss my lock-ons besides the times when you need to remove/replace your grips.
Other then that, I can quite see where you would want to replace stuff, your bike is just plain sweet! Although with a build like that you would think it is already lighter....
How are you liking the dues cranks? Did you ever think about getting XT's or XTR over them? I'm stuck between XT's locally or Deus from mail order.(I'm in Aus, and Deus aren't in Australia yet! and they are going to cost alot!)
Oh just noticed, although they are bomb proof, you can save quite a bit of weight from your stem by replacing it with a syntace or something. Syntace you can get from www.light-bikes.com

Yeah, I thought about the alloy nipples, too.
I might change the spokes as well, still undecided between Sapim blade spokes and
Ti spokes...
Well, it's not the cheapest way to cut weight, though.
RF Deus is running smooth, and no sign of flex so far
Installation is no brainer, too
I got 2 friends running XTR M960 crank,
one has problem with BB,
The other has problem with left crank arm
(kept coming loose, and crashed with crank arm attaching to his cycling shoe.. twice)

Deus is a little bit lighter than XT.
That's why I pick Deus over XTR & XT, although I like the look of XTR best
I'll post the pic as soon as I finished cutting the decal ( I'm removing the flame pattern )

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ride red

· #6 · Jul 24, 2004

Wow TC3, sounds like a sweet ride, here are a few things I might do to save some grams. A half pound really isnt much, a little over 220 grams.

first, what tubes are you using, I had some Ritchey lites that weighed about 197g's, now Im using Maxxis welter weights that weighed a few grams less tham 170. Close to 50 grams for about 6 bucks. Then start on the components.
2. The Thompson stem would be the first to change, yes, they are one of the best, they still are heavy at about 205g. The Ritchey WCS is a good choice, at 125g for a 100mm stem and a 80g savings.
3. Rebuilding the wheels is a smart choice too, labor is about 25-50 bucks for both wheels, I wouldnt use Ti spokes, stick with Supercomps and AL nipples. The Nip's will save you about 40g, not sure about the spokes.
4. Thompson's newest post is called the Masterpeice, and can save you 20-50g depending on lenght.
5. XTR cassette is 20g lighter than XT.
6. Mentioned before about grips, I wouldnt myself, I love lock-ons
7. A Raceface headset will save you 40g's, another tuff call though.

I just saw a pic of your ride, I was right. it is sweet! Check your PM"s.

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bike_freak

· #7 · Jul 24, 2004

I reccon a Syntace stem is still a better option then the WSC, lots of people would agree with that aswell.
So what special tools are needed for these cranks? Whne you say installation was a breeze, well I haven't ever tired to work with my current cranks( low range Raceface ISIS), so not sure how hard it is. But I can replace my own chains, cassettes....
Is there much to go rong when installing these cranks?
What colour did you get of the cranks?
BTW, need them cause my BB is showing signs of wear(small amounts play, a bit of grinding).

TC3

Discussion Starter · #8 · Jul 24, 2004

ride red said:
Wow TC3, sounds like a sweet ride, here are a few things I might do to save some grams. A half pound really isnt much, a little over 220 grams.

first, what tubes are you using, I had some Ritchey lites that weighed about 197g's, now Im using Maxxis welter weights that weighed a few grams less tham 170. Close to 50 grams for about 6 bucks. Then start on the components.
2. The Thompson stem would be the first to change, yes, they are one of the best, they still are heavy at about 205g. The Ritchey WCS is a good choice, at 125g for a 100mm stem and a 80g savings.
3. Rebuilding the wheels is a smart choice too, labor is about 25-50 bucks for both wheels, I wouldnt use Ti spokes, stick with Supercomps and AL nipples. The Nip's will save you about 40g, not sure about the spokes.
4. Thompson's newest post is called the Masterpeice, and can save you 20-50g depending on lenght.
5. XTR cassette is 20g lighter than XT.
6. Mentioned before about grips, I wouldnt myself, I love lock-ons
7. A Raceface headset will save you 40g's, another tuff call though.

I just saw a pic of your ride, I was right. it is sweet! Check your PM"s.

Thanks, dude. I love this forum.

1, I don't have a tube to upgrade... just a scoop of sealant on each wheel
2, Will do
3, Will do it myself later, super comp / alloy nipples sounds good
4, I would wait for reviews, not quite sure where they trim more aluminium off
5, I worn a XTR M950 Ti out before, better stay with steel one
6, Same here, maybe get a pair of lighter bar caps
7, 40g lighter than King??

Here's the pic of my ride for bike_freak

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TC3

Discussion Starter · #9 · Jul 24, 2004

bike_freak said:
I reccon a Syntace stem is still a better option then the WSC, lots of people would agree with that aswell.
So what special tools are needed for these cranks? Whne you say installation was a breeze, well I haven't ever tired to work with my current cranks( low range Raceface ISIS), so not sure how hard it is. But I can replace my own chains, cassettes....
Is there much to go rong when installing these cranks?
What colour did you get of the cranks?
BTW, need them cause my BB is showing signs of wear(small amounts play, a bit of grinding).

I will check it out before making decisions.
The installation process is even easier than installing XTRs
Just a BB tool (like Park tool BBT-9), 8mm, 9mm allen wrenches and some waterproof grease.
I got the BB tool (Shimano one) for free from Supergo, since they have so many left-overs from XTR cranks pre-installed on bikes
The manual is quite easy to understand.
I got the silver one, but it looks like poop after a few rides.
Should get the black one instead... too late

ride red

· #10 · Jul 24, 2004

[
7, 40g lighter than King??

Here's the pic of my ride for bike_freak[/QUOTE]

Ok, I lied, I just checked speedgoat out and the King is about 20 grams heavier than a RF Deus headset, sorry, seamed a little off to me too.

One other thing, I love my flat pedals too, wont use clip's, I use the Wellgo Magnesium padels, 380g's, lightest flats I have found, the Shimano's I think hit about 500 grams.

bike_freak

· #11 · Jul 24, 2004

Second the mag pedals!
Don't get rid of the king headset, but you already knew that

It's up to you on the grips, but I would atleast try them, if you don't like them then thats only 9bucks gone. Put them on with rubbing alchohol.
So you reccon the Black version?
I have black cranks on my at the moment, but wasn't sure. What goes wrong with the silver ones?

DirtHog

· #12 · Jul 24, 2004

Some sources for ti and aluminum bolts

Try Redmist at http://titaniumfasteners.com/shop/ , Racebolts at http://shopping.netsuite.com/racebolts?DID=6&WebPage_ID=13
or metric bolts at http://www.mettec.com/

SRP also sells lightweight bolts and usually carries stuff that are bike specific but they are higher on most bolts. Their website is at http://www.srp-usa.com/

TC3

Discussion Starter · #13 · Jul 24, 2004

bike_freak said:
Second the mag pedals!
Don't get rid of the king headset, but you already knew that
It's up to you on the grips, but I would atleast try them, if you don't like them then thats only 9bucks gone. Put them on with rubbing alchohol.
So you reccon the Black version?
I have black cranks on my at the moment, but wasn't sure. What goes wrong with the silver ones?

Nothing wrong with the silver RF Deus....
It just looks dirty all the time, that's all.
My friend just bought a black one and loves it.

VpointVick

· #14 · Jul 24, 2004

TC3 said:
Thanks, dude. I love this forum.

1, I don't have a tube to upgrade... just a scoop of sealant on each wheel
2, Will do
3, Will do it myself later, super comp / alloy nipples sounds good
4, I would wait for reviews, not quite sure where they trim more aluminium off
5, I worn a XTR M950 Ti out before, better stay with steel one
6, Same here, maybe get a pair of lighter bar caps
7, 40g lighter than King??

Here's the pic of my ride for bike_freak

The inside diameter of the Masterpiece posts are machined oval, so that ther is less material on the wall at the side than there is front and back.

Its intended for roadies, only available in 26.8, 27.2, and 28mm.

burnside

· #15 · Jul 25, 2004

VpointVick said:
The inside diameter of the Masterpiece posts are machined oval, so that ther is less material on the wall at the side than there is front and back.

Its intended for roadies, only available in 26.8, 27.2, and 28mm.

I'm fairly sure that is also how my Elite seatpost is made.

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